2012 NFL Mock Draft: Wild Cards Who Will Shake Up the Draft

We think that we have all the answers when it comes to the NFL Draft. All 32 teams have needs, some more than others, and there are players out there to fill those needs. However, not every team sticks to the script and picks the player that fills their biggest hole.

What we want to look at are the players that are going to cause the draft to get thrown for a loop, either because they will go earlier than expected or drop farther than you might think.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

The only question is if the Colts will feel pressure to trade down and gear up for one more run with Peyton Manning. No matter what team is making the pick, Luck is going No. 1.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

While the Rams are desperate for help on the outside, they will reach for Blackmon with the No. 2 pick. He would likely be available near the bottom of the top 10.

Right now, he is getting too much respect. He needs to prove that he can overcome the Oklahoma State receiver curse at the combine.

Other teams that need receiver help will be looking for him to fall to them, so when he goes, it will create a ripple effect through the rest of the first round.

3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Arguably the second-best prospect in the draft, and probably the safest pick in the draft.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

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The Jaguars already have a good secondary, so it would not be hard to imagine them trying to fill another need that they have, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

But elite cover cornerbacks are hard to find, and Claiborne is by far the best in this year's class. A team like the Bills will hope that he drops due to teams ahead of them needing to fill other spots.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Tampa Bay needs to get younger in the secondary, which makes Kirkpatrick an easy pick.

6. Cleveland Browns (4-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is the best running back prospect to come out of college in a long time.

7. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need to find someone who can protect Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind side.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-9): Matt Barkley, QB, USC

After years of searching for a franchise quarterback, the Dolphins find one.

9. Washington Redskins (5-9): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

No one has seen his stock rise as much over the last five months as Griffin. He was an unknown commodity coming into the season, and now he is going to be a top-10 pick.

Don't be fooled into thinking that he is just a product of a college system. He has the physical tools to play in the NFL. The Redskins need to find a quarterback because I am almost 100 percent sure that Rex Grossman and John Beck are not the answer.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Now that they have found their quarterback of the future, it is time to rebuild the defense.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

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While the Eagles have more pressing needs, particularly on the offensive line, the threat of losing DeSean Jackson to free agency will force them to make a surprise pick here.

Floyd is very different from the other receivers that the Eagles have. He uses size and strength in order to make plays. That style will be a nice complement to the other, faster players that the Eagles use on the outside.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need to get an impact offensive lineman to protect Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles in 2012.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Jones is a sneaky pick in this draft, if he chooses to come out. No one is really talking about him because of Luck, Barkley and Griffin, but he was thought of as the second-best quarterback coming into the season.

He clearly has the tools to play at the next level, though a weak ending to this season has not helped his stock.

But for the Seahawks, who have had quarterback questions since Pete Carroll took over two years ago, he will be a great fit for them. The best part is they don't have to start him right away if they feel comfortable with Tarvaris Jackson.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard is a short cornerback at just a shade over 5'9" but makes up for it with good speed and ball-coverage skills.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still needs to improve his pass-rushing technique, but he has star potential.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is a perfect fit in the middle of the Titans' improving group of linebackers.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 7-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

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The second running back taken in this draft will either be Miller or Virginia Tech's David Wilson. Both players are so close that it is hard to argue against one over the other.

Miller is a little bit better at breaking tackles, so that is why he gets the edge here. The Bengals have found a great battery with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, but Cedric Benson has disappointed after a hot start.

18. Chicago Bears (7-7): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears will try to patch up their offensive line with another Wisconsin player in the first round.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals' solid defense will get better with more depth in the secondary, and Jenkins has the chance to be an above-average starter at his peak.

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is not the most talented player in this draft, but he is one of the smartest.

21. Detroit Lions (9-5): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

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With the Lions' front four being exposed this season, they will be forced to draft yet another player who can help them up front.

The good news is that Ingram, unlike 2011 first-round pick Nick Fairley, is durable and will bring a strong presence in the pass rush. He could go lower in the round if the Lions were able to find a trade partner, but either way he will end up being the player they fall in love with.

22. New York Jets (8-6): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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The Jets are going to surprise a lot of people by taking an offensive lineman with this pick, particularly with Kevin Reddick and Alshon Jeffery still on the board, but DeCastro is a terrific lineman that can step in right away and start.

Part of the problem that the Jets have had this season is a lack of toughness up front, which was their staple the previous two seasons, and they need to get back to playing that kind of football if they want to take the next step.

23. Denver Broncos (8-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is more of a hybrid player than a prototypical defensive tackle, but he should be able to handle himself with the Broncos' already stellar pass rush.

Jeffery was supposed to be one of the most dominant wide receivers in the country this season, but when Stephen Garcia bombed and Connor Shaw was named the Gamecocks' starting quarterback, his performance dropped.

It will be interesting to see if he does fall this far as a result of decreased production. The Browns would love to see him get to this spot because they need all the skill-position playmakers they can find.